Contkol system fob fttbnaces



Feb. 11, 17930. EL RQY PAYNE 1,746,673

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FURNACES Original Filed Nov. 5, l92l 4 Sheets-Sheet l IZ l j Feb. 1l-, 1930. EL. ROY l PAYNE 1,746,673

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FURNACES Original Filed Nov. 5. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 11, 1930. EL ROY L PAYNE l 1,746,673

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FURNACES Original Filed Nov. 5. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. l1, 1930. l EL ROY L. PAYNE 1,746,673

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FURNAGES Original Filed Nov. 5, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Iratentecl Feb. 11, 1930 PATENT OFFICE EL ROY L. PAYNE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FURNACES Application filed November5, 1921, Serial No. 513,205. Renewed April 14, 1923.

The present invention relates particularly to multiple electrical control systems for furnaces, and embodies certain features, arrangements and mechanisms, in combinationwith my improved electrically operated valveshown and described in a cospending application, Serial Number 513,204 filed Nov. 5, 1921,-whereby a plurality of furnaces may be either selectively controlled independently of each other or simultaneously controlled, from a point remote therefrom by increasing or diminishing the fuel supply to their burners, or turning it on or entirely off.

A particular feature of the present invention is the provision of a time controlled switch, operatively connected in series with manually operable switches, by which any of the above results may be effected automatical- 1y at a given time, and without interfering in any way with their accomplishment through the manually operable means.

The preferred specific embodiment of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawings, in which the system and mechanisms are illustrated, and in which the several views may be briefly described as follows:

Fig. 1 is a View showing a typical unit of my system; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the switchboard I employ; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the switchboard shown in Fig. 2; Fig.

4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the center of the switchboard, as indicated by the lines 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3,

parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional plan view through the switchboard, being taken as indicated by the lines 5-5 of Figs. 3 and 4, parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of my electrically operated valve, -used in the present system and shown and described in the above mentioned co-pending application; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional plan View of the valve illustrated in Fig. 6 taken as indicated by the line 7 7 in that figure; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 the view being taken on the line 8 8 of that figure; Fig. 9 is a sectional detail of the valve illustrated in Fig. 7, the View being taken on the line 9 9 of that figure; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic lay-out showing the several relative positions of the fuel valve and electrical signal contacts throughout one complete series of control movements of the valve and Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical connections between the switchboard and a plurality of fuel valve actuating mechanisms.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 wherein I have illustrated one typical unit of my system in practical use, the numeral 1() designates a fragmentary section of a building-such as a dwelling or the likehaving an upper room 11, and a lower room or a basement 12, separated by a floor structure 10a; a typical furnace 13 being installed in the basement room 12 for heating the structure. The furnace 13 has a gas burner 14 suitably mounted therein, to which a fuel supply pipe 15 leads from any suitable source of fuel supply. A cutoff valve 16 may be interposed in the pipe 15 for permanently cutting off the supply of fuel to the burner if desired. One of my above mentioned electrically operated valve mechanisms, generally designated by the numeral 17, is interposed in the fuel supply pipe 15, intermediate the cutoff valve 16 and the burner 14, for supplying and regulating the fuel supply flowing to the latter. A switchboard, generally designated by the numeral 18, maybe mounted in the upper room ll-or at any place remote from the furnace 13-on which a plurality of switches are mounted and electrically connected with the valve mechanism 17 through the medium of wires` generally designated by the numeral 19; electrical energy being supplied to the unit, to actuate the valve mechanism through the medium of the aforementioned switches a0 and connections, and through a suitable transformer, symbolically shown at 20.

I will now take up the detailed description of the several mechanisms employed in my system, and also the manner in which they are electrically connected in series, to control a plurality of units or furnaces, either selectively and independently of *Teach other or simultaneously, as desired.

lVhile the details of construction and operation of my improved electrically operated valve mechanism, illustrated herein in Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive,`are fully shown and described in the above mentioned co-pending application, these details will be hereinafter repeated in order that in the present case its mode of operation may be correlated and fully understood in connection with the other elements of my system.

Proceeding now to this detailed description, and referring particularly for this purpose to Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, they numeral 21 designates a suitable case or housing for the valve and its immediate actuating mechanism; this case being constructed of any suitable material, such as wood or metal, to entirely enclose the mechanism to protect from dust and other deleterious matter.

The valve, generally designated by the numeral 22, is mounted within the housing 2l, as shown, having a valve casing 23, rigidly mounted upon the rear wall 24 of the housing by means of suitable screws 25 extending therethrough and engaging internally screwthreaded bores 26, in bosses 27 the latter projecting from the rear face of the casing 23 and preferably formed integral therewith.

The casing 23 has internally screw threaded bores 28 and 29 extending inwardly from its opposite ends, as shown, for the reception of externally screwthreaded fuel supply pipes 30 and 31, respectively, the former leadn from a suitable source of supply, (not shown? while the latter leads to the burner (also not shown) of the heater.

The body portion of the valve casing 23 is preferably cylindrical, of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of pipes 30 and 31; having an enlarged circular portion 32 formed on one side thereof and preferably disposed in a vertical plane, the axis of which 'portion is in a plane with and extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body portion above mentioned. A circular recess 33-hereinafter termed the valve seat-is cut in the outer face of the portion 32, in which a circular valve 34 is adapted to seat; the latter being rigidly mounted upon a shaft 35 extending through the co-axial centers of the valve 34 and the seat 33 in the manner shown. The valve 34 may be secured to the shaft 35 in any suitable manner, as by means of a key 36,the shaft extending through a. bore 37, in the casing 23. The valve 34 is held seated in the seat 33 by the shaft 35, the latter being provided at its rear end with an expansile helical spring 38, confined between the rear face 39 of the casing 23 and a collar 40, the latter being retained upon the end of the shaft by means of a pin 41. This arrangement provides an easy method of assembling these'parts, and also provides the method of yieldingly holding the valve 34 seated, to insureagas tightjoint and take up any wear that may result from continual frictional contact between the contacting parts. Furthermore, it provides for frictional engagement between the valve and seat, thus yieldingly holding the former against movement.

A concentric boss 42 is formed on the outer face of the valve 34, to which a toothed ratchet wheel 43 is rigidly secured as by means of screws 44; the Wheel 43 preferably being concentric with the shaft 35 and valve 34. This ratchet wheel may be constructed of any suitable material, such as fibre or the like, having notches 45 in its periphery, the one side 46 of which are radially disposed and spaced 30 apart, making a total of twelve notches in the wheel, the purpose of which will be hereinafter set forth.

A lever 47 is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end u on the casing 23--or other suitable place-by means of a pivot pin or screw 48; being positioned in close proximity to and adapted to oscillate in the plane of rotation of the ratchet wheel 43; and carrying a pawl 49-pivotally mounted at one end adjacent the upper end of the lever upon a pivot pin 50-to operatively engage the notches 45 in the wheel 43. The pawl 49 is preferably constructed of metal, and being pivotally mounted at one end, will fall by gravity into the notches 45.

A portion 51 of the lever 47 extends below the pivotal point 48, to whi ch end one end of a rod 52 is pvotally secured; the opposite end of this rod having a sliding bearing in an aperture 53 of a bracket 54. The bracket 54 may consist of a strip of flat metal bent to the configuration shown, or any configuration suitable to accomplish the purpose, and secured to the case 21 by means of a bolt 55. A block 56 is longitudinally adjustably mounted upon the rod 52 so as to be moved into and out of position to engage the inclined sides 45a of the notches 45 (in the manner shown in Fig. 6) during oscillatory movement of the lever 36; the object being to provide a stop for the ratchet wheel 32, to prevent overthrow of the valve by quick action of the lever 47.

An electro-magnet in the form of a solenoid 57 is rigidly mounted in the upper portion of the case 2l, and in alignment with the plane of movement of the lever 47; this solenoid having a core 58 operatively connected with the upper end 59 of the lever 47 by means of an adjustable connecting rod 60. The'rod 6') is adjustably connected to the core 58 by means of a screw threaded end 61 engaging an internally screw threaded bore 62 in the outer closed end 58a; a suitable lock 4nut 63 being provided to secure the two in adjusted relative relation. The rod has an enlarged bearing portion 64 formed on it and a pin 65 extends through a suitable aperture in the upper end 59 of the lever 47, and through a complementary bore in this portion 64 to form a pivoted connection between the two. The rod.60 may have an extension extending out through an aperture 66 in the case 21 (shown b dotted lilies in Fig. 6) by means of which the valve mechanism may be manually operable, if desired. The core 58 is designed to be adjustable on the rod 60 so that when the solenoid is energized the lever 47 will be moved 'ust far enough (in the direction indicated y the arrow in Fig. 6) to rotate the valve through an arc of 30 or onetwclfth of a revolution.

The core 58, and also the lever 47-through the medium of the connecting rod (S0-are normally held in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, by means of an expansile helical spring 67 extending into a concentric bore 68 in the core 58 and confined between the closed end 58 thereof and the plug 70 of the solenoid.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, a pair 'of smaller inlet bores 71 and 72 extend inwardly from the inner end of the bore 28, toward the seat 33 in the casing 23, and a short distance beyond its perimeter B3n; the bore 72 being approximately twice the size of the bore 71. Each have outlet-ports 71a and 7 2, respectively, of corresponding areas, communicating with the seat 33. Similar bores 73 and 74, disposed in reverse order, ex-

tend from the inner end of the bore 29 toward the seat 33; the bore 74 being also approximately twice the size of the bore 73, and each likewise having outlet ports 73El and 74, respectively, of corresponding areas. It will be ...i noted that the larger ports 7 2a and 74*l of the larger bores 72 and 74, respectively, are diametrically opposed, while the smaller ports 71 and 73"L of the smaller bores 71 and 73, respectively, are also diametrically opposed; the ports 71 and 72 being spaced 30 degrees apart, or one-twelfth of a circle, as are also the ports 73aL and 741. The ports 719L and 7 3"L are designed to be substantially one-half the arca of the ports 7 2n and 74, the same relative 1 sizes existing between the bores 71 and 73 and 72 and 74; so that the ports 72 and 74l will supply sufficient gas to permit the burner to operate at full capacity, While the ports 71El and 7 3*l will pass only sufficient gas to enable them to operate at substantially half their capacity.

The Valve 34 (clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 9) is circular, as hereinbefore stated, to properly seat and be rotated in the seat 33; the center of this valve being hollow or openas at 7 5-the only openings into which are the ports 76. Ports 76 correspond in area to the ports 723l and 74a, in the seat 33; these first mentioned ports being positioned diametrically opposite, extending through the rear wall 34, of the valve and spaced 90 apart. Upon rotation of the valve 34 in the seat 33, in the direction indicated by the arrows 1n the several gures of the drawings, the ports 76 will successively register with the` ports l71a and 7 3 or ports 7 2 and 74", passing gas from the pipe 30, through either of the ports 71'* v ner clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. Contact points in the form of small rivets 81, extend through the discs 78 and 79 and are electrically connected with each other by contact with the plate 79. The-contacts 81 are arranged on the disc 78 in diametrically opposed relation, and are spaced 90o apart, as shown in Fig. 6, and diagrammatically in Figs. 10 and 11. A plurality of resilient Contact arms 82, 83, and 84 are rigidly mounted at their lower ends upon the bottom of the casing 21, being insulated therefrom by means of a block of insulation 85 these arms extending upwardly so their upper ends are in yielding contact with the outer face 86 of the disc 78, and which ends are so disposed that they will be wiped by the contacts 81 during rotation of the valve. They are furthermore so positioned that only two of them will be in contact with any two of the contact points 81 at one time; the contact arm 83 being always in contact with one of the points at 81, while. either of the arms 82 or 84 is in contact with another of the contact points 81; the object being to operate two signal lights upon a three wire circuit in the manner hereinafter described.

In connection with the description of movements of the valve 34 and disc 78 to be hereinafter made, it will be assumed that the latter is so mounted in relation to the valve that when the diametrically opposed ports 76 thereof are in register with the diametrically opposed ports 72EL and 74, i. e., when the gas is full on, two of the contacts 81 will be in position to engage the contact arms 83 and 84; and when the diametrically opposed orts 76 are in register with the ports 71a and 3a, that is, when the gas is half on, the contacts 71 will have moved to their next successive position to engage the contact arms 82 and 83. The next successive movement of the mechanism will carry the contacts 71 to the position shown in Fig. 11, where none of them will be in contact with any of the arms 82, 83, or 84. In the latter position none of the ports 56, of the valve 34 are in register with the ports 71a and 7 3a, or 72EL and 7 4a of the valve casing.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, the switch board, generally designated by the numeral 18 consists of a plate 87, on which are mounted the various switches and contacts for electrically operatin the valve mechanism, hereinbefore descri ed, and the lights for automatically indicating the position the valve is in. The plate 87 is preferably formed of sheet metal, mounted upon the front of a suitable casin 88, by means of screws 89; the whole being esigned to set into a wall structure with the plate 87 flush with its outer surface, sons to present a neat and sightly ap icarance. The casing 88 is designed to provi e a fire and dust proof housing for the several switchboard contacts, so that it can be set into any wall structure without danger of injury thereto.

A plurality of contacts and signals are arranged in units upon the late 87, these units being severally designated) by the letters A, B, C, and D, each consisting of a push button 90, a pull switch 91, and red and white signal lights 92 and 93, respectively, all electrically connected to complementary valve mechanisms, correspondingly designated, as will be more fully hereinafter explained. The push buttons 90 may be of any one of the well known types, wherein contact is made so long as they are manually operated against the action of a spring which normally holds them out of such contact; and the pull switches 91 may also be of any of the well known types wherein contact is either made or broken by pushing in or pulling out the button 91, (described in the present case as making contact when the button is pulled out) the button being yieldingly held in either of these positions until manually changed. The push buttons 90 and pull switches 91 are mounted upon the plate 87 ad'acent each other, in the manner shown, so t ey are clearly associated in separate units as stated. The red signal lights 92 and the white signal lights 93 may be of the type commonly used on telephone switchboards, and the like, being removably mounted in sockets 95 formed on the back of the plate 87. The sockets 95 are formed by short tubular members 96, of fibre, or the like,

- rigidly mounted upon the rear face of the plate 87 and concentric with apertures 97 therein, by confinement between such rear face and bars 98; the latter being rigidly secured to the plate 87 by means of screws 99. The bars 98 have' apertures 100, concentric with the tubular members 96 through which contact plates 101 extend into the tubular members 96 to form a contact for one side of the lights. The plates 101 are mounted upon the bars 98 by means of suitable screws 102, a washer 103 being also provided to contact with the plates 101, so the screws 102 may be utilized as binding posts. Similar screws 104 may be utilized, in connection with similar plates, as a contact for the other sides of the lights, if desired, orsuch other sides may be grounded upon the plate 87 A time switch is constructed in connection with the switchboard 18 in the following manner, the object of which will be full hereinafter set forth. An alarm clock 105 1s remov ably mounted in the plate 87 by extending through an aperture 106 therein; being retained within this aperture by means of spring catches 107, mounted diametrically opposite each other on the clock case 105a and adapted to engage the plate. Each of the catches 107 is .formed of spring metal; being secured to the case 105a at one end-as by means of rivets l08-their opposite ends being bent t0 spring away from the case. Notches-109 are formed in the free ends of the members 107, these notches being adapted to engage the plate 87 in recesses 110, the spring action of the mem-- bers operating to hold them in engagement with the plate and hold the clock in place as shown. The free ends of members 107 extend outwardly beyond the notches 109 so as to form portions to be gripped by the fingers, where y these ends may e pressed towards the case to disengage the plate 87 and remove theclock in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. The clock is designed to be thus removed in order that it may be properly wound and set for the purposes hereinafter set forth.

The clock 105 may be any suitable clock of standard construction, having a hand set shaft 112, a time wind shaft 113, an alarm set shaft 114, and an alarm wind shaft 115; also an alarm set indicator 116, in connection with the face 117. An arm 118 is rigidly mounted upon thev alarm wind shaft 115, and a cylindrical contact member 119 is rigidly mounted upon the outer end of this arm to extend in a plane parallel to the axis of the shaft 115, in the manner shown. A suitable stop 115n is rigidly mounted on the back of the clock to limit the rotation of the shaft 115 by engaging the arm 118.

A plurality of resilient contact fingers 120, 121, and 122, are rigidly mounted at one end upon a rod 123, which, in turn, is rigidly mounted upon the plate 87, adjacent the clock 105; these Contact fingers being insulated vfrom the rod 123 by means of insulation 124.

They all extend to points adjacent the axis of the alarm wind shaft 115, so that during its rotation the contact member 119 will pass through an are, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8, engaging the ends(of these fingers 1n a wiping contact as it passes over them, to close the circuits with which they are respectively connected. The finger 121 being the longest the contact 119 will be in engagement with it the longest; the finger 120 beine' so positioned that the contact 119 will firs make a circuit closure between it and the finger 121; and as it (the contact 119) passes out of engagement with the finger 120 it will then engage the outer end of the finger 122 forming a circuit closure between it and the finger 121. In other words, the contact 119 will be 1n engagement with the finger 121 throughout a certain arc of its rotation, during which time it will first additionally engage the finger 120, and thereafter, in succession, additionally engage the finger 122; but at no time will the contact 119 be in engagement with all three of them at once. The object of this arrangement is to provide a mechanical means for' preventing overloading of the feed circuit resulting from passing through one contact sufficient'energy to actuate a plurality of mechanisms. For this purpose the finger 121 will be electrically connected with the source of electrical supply, while the finger 120 will be electrically connected to two of the pull switches 91, and the finger 122 electrically connected with the other two, as will be more fully hereinafter explained. In this manner all of the valve actuating mechanisms may be energized by one movement of the contact 119, through its arc of rotation, but in such succession as to prevent overloading of the circuit.

The arm 118 together with the contact 119, mounted upon the alarm wind shaft 115 is designed to rotate through the arc shown by the dotted line in Fig. 3, the stop 115a being so mounted upon the rear face of the clock as to engage the arm 118 and limit its movement after the contact 119 has passed over the fingers 120, 121 and 122. Before the stop 115a will be attached the alarm will be wound or partially wound through the shaft 115 against its actuating spring so this spring will always be under tension, and so that when it, (the arm 118) is moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and it is released by its mechanism it will move v from the position shown in such dot-ted lines to the position shown in solid lines, where it will be stopped by the stop 115. To again set the mechanism so as to pass through this arc and contact with the members 120, 121

and 122, it is only necessary to move it in the direction reverse of that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, where it will be stopped and held by the alarm catch mechanism ready to again be actuated by release of the alarm set mechanism.

Before proceeding to the description of the electrical connections betweenl the switch board and valve actuating mechanisms, it may be here stated that in referring to switches, contacts, signal lights, wires, etc., pertaining to each separate unit, such elements will be numerically designated, eachA likewise designated by these letters. Each of the switch oard units are electrically connected to the valve actuating mechanisms in the same manner; and each are likewise connected to the time switch in the same manner, so the valve actuating mechanisms may all be either controlled or actuated by manual operation of the push buttons 90, 90", etc., or automatically by the time switch, through setting of the alarm and proper arrangement of the pull switches 91, 91", etc., and so the setting or operation of the time switch will not interfere in any manner with the operation of the manual switches.

Proceeding now to a detailed description of this wiring diagram, the system is designed to be operated from an ordinary lighting circuit through a transformer 125 although this may be altered to suit 'circumstances Feed wires 126 and 127 lead from the transformer 125 to which the elements are electrically connected. Wires 128, 128, 128, and 128c1 lead from the wire 127, and push buttons 90, 90",

90, and 90d are electrically connected on one side to these Vwires through wires 129, 129", 129, and 129d; and on their other sides to the solenoids 57 through wires 130, 130", 130, and 130; the solenoids 57 thence being connected to wire 126, of the transformer 125, through wires 131, 131", 131 and 131. From this it is clear that by actuation of any one of the push buttons 90, 90b, etc., any one of the respective circuits will be closed through the wires 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, and Wire 126 on the other side of the transformer, energizing the solenoid 57, which, in turn, will rotate the valve 34, through the medium ofthe core 58, connecting rod 60, lever 47, pawl 49, and ratchet wheel 43, turning the valve one-twe1fth of a revolution. Each of the units A, B, C, or D may be thus actuated independently of the other.

The contact finger 121, of the time switch,

` is electrically connected to the feed wire 127,

of the transformer 125, through a wire 132; the Contact finger 120 electrically connected with the pull switches 91a, and 91b through wires 133n and 133", and the contact finger 122 electrically connected with the pull switches 91 and 91d through wires 134 and 134. The other side of the pull switches 91, 91", 91, and 91d are electrically connected to the wires 130, 130", 130, and 130, around the push buttons 90, 90", 90, and 90d, through wires 135, 1351, 135, and 135. From this it will be seen that when any one of the pull switches 91, 91", etc., are closed, actuation of any or all of the valves by solenoids 57 and their connecting media, may be accomplished by a movement of the contact 119 in the direction Y indicated by the arrow, to successively engage lll The signal lights 92 and 93, for indicating the several positions of the valve are electrically (princetod in the system as follows: The red signal lights 92, 92, 92, and 92, for indicating that the valve is in position to pass the full amount ot gas,-i. e., when the diametrically opposed ports 76 are in registration with the ports 72n and 74nare connected on one side to the wires 128, 1281, 128", and 128d by wires 136, 1361, 136C, and 136, respectively, their other sides being connected to the contact arms 82, 82", 82u and 82, on their respective valve actuating mechanisms, by wires 137, 137", 137C, and 137, respectively. The white lights 93", 93h, 93", and 93d, for indicating that the valve is passing only halt' capacity of fuel to the burners-i.e. when the diametrically opposed ports 76 are in registration with the ports 71, 73"L of the valve-are connected on one side to the wires 128, 128", 128, and 128", by wires 138, 138", 138, 138, respectively, their opposite sides being connected to the contact arms 84, 84", 84, and 84d of their respective valve actuating mechanisms, by wires 139, 139", 139, and 139, respectively. The contact arms83, 83h, 8 c, and 83", on the corresponding valve actuating mechanisms are electrically connected to the wire 126, of the transformer 125, by wires 140, 140, 140, and 140d respectively. Thus it will be seen that when any two of the cont-acts 81, on a disc 78 are in position to engage contact arms 83, and 84a of a unit, the circuit will be completed through the wires 127, 128, 138, 139, contact arm 84, plate 79 and contacts 81, Contact arm 83, wire 140,

' and wire 126, thus energizing a white light 93. Thence when the valve is rotated so that the contacts 81 will engage contact arms 82 and 83 the circuit will be closed through the wires 1.27, 128, 136, 137, contact arm 82, plate 79 and contacts 81, contact arm 83, and wires 140 and 126, thus energizing the red light 92.

Referring now to the diagram shown in Fig. 10, the several gures shown in the column A represent successive movements of the valve 34, relative to the seat 33 of the casing 23; while the figure illustrated in the column B represents the successive movements of the disc 78 relative to the contact arms 82, 83, and 84. In the diagram A-1, ports 76 are shown to be in a position where none of them are in register with any of the ports 71, 72, 73", or 74; while the disc 78 is shown to be in its complementary position where none of the contacts 81 are in engagement with any of the contact arms 82, 83, or 84. In this position it will be remembered that the gas is shut off as will be indicated by none of the lightson the switchboard being energized. Closing of a circuit by actuation of one of the push buttons w1ll energize the complementary solenoid 57, thus rotating the valve 34-in the direction indicated by the arrows in the several figures-through the medium of the core 58, connecting rod 60, lever 47, and pawl 49, engaging one of the notches of the wheel, 43. This movement rotating the valve 34 through an arc of 30 or one-twelfth of a revolution, and the disc 78 through a similar arckfrom the position shown in diagrams A-l and B-l, to their respective positions shown in diagrams A-2 and B--2. In the latter position, the valve ports 76 are shown to be in register with the ports 72*1 and 74", the gas being full on, while the contacts 81 are in engagement with the Contact arms 83 and 84 thus completing the circuit to energize the red light 92.

If it is then desired to reduce the amount of gas passing through any one of the valves to its burner, o1' to operate any of the heaters at half capacity, any one of the circuits'may again be closed by actuation of the proper push button 90, similarly energizing the complementary solenoid and rotating its valve 34 through another arc of 30 or one-twelfth of 'a revolution, thereby moving the opposed ports 76 into register with the ports 71a and 7 3, and the disc 7 8 so the contacts 81 will engage the contact arms 82 and 83, thus energizing the white light 93, to indicate that the gas is half on; the elements moving from the positions shown in diagrams A--2 and B-2, to those shown in diagrams A-3 and B-3, respectively. The next successive closure of a circuit by actuation of one of the push buttons 90 and consequent energization of the complementary solenoid 57, will rotate the corresponding valve 34 and disc 78 through one twelfth of a revolution, from the positions shown in the diagrams A-3 and B3 to those shown in diagrams A l and B-l, respectively, thereby entirely shutting off the gas supplied to the burners; and the contacts 81 having been moved Vto positions where they will not engage any of the.contact arms 82, 83, or 84, neither of the lights 92 or 93 will be energized, thus indicating at the switchboard that the fuel is shut off entirely.

The ports 76 of the valve 34 being diametrically opposed and 90 degrees apart, permit the valve to be successively actuated from its entirely oli' position to full on, half-on, and

oit again, .through three successive energizations of the solenoid 57. In case the ports 76 are in register with the ports 71'* and 7 3, passing only half capacity of gas, and it is desired to turn it full on. it is only necessary to make two successive closures of the proper circuit by actuating the proper push button 90 twice, thereby rotating the valve 34 successively from the position shown in diagram A-3, through that shown in diagram A-l, to that shown in diagram A-2; the disc 78 likewise being rotated from the position in diagram B-3 through that shown in diagram B-l and to that shown in diagram B-2 and correspondingly indicating these movements through the red and white lights.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the valve actuating mechanism is designed to be manually operable by actuation of' the push button 90, through the corre sponding connecting media ,to regulate the amount of fuel passing to the burners, or to turn it on or entirely off; while the time switch is designed to similarly actuate the mechanisms at a pre-determined time b operation of the alarm in the clock 105, causing contact between the contact 119, and fingers 120 and 121, and 121 and 122.

The alarm in the clock 125 may be set for any desired time-as some early morning hour-when it is desired to automatically light the burners to heat up the house. In this connection it maybe here noted that a proper pilot light will be provided for initially i gniting the burners when the fuel has been turned on by the valve mechanism. The alarm may be set for any desired time, and being at all timespartially wound it is set by rotating the arm 118, from the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3 vto that shown in dotted lines, where it will becaught and held by the usual alarm actuating mechanism. Any one of the individual circuits may then be closed, in preparation and readiness for actuation of the valves through the time switch, by pulling out the corresponding pull switch 91, to close the circuit around the push button 90. It is to be noted that this closure of' the circuit by the pull switch 91 does not interfere in any way with actuation of the mechanism through the push button 90 during the time the circuit is closed by the pull switch. Also the pull switch may be left in position to keep the circuit closed at all times, so that it will then only be necessary to set the alarm each time it is desired to have the time switch operate. In this manner any one of the individual valve actuating mechanisms may be selectively set to be actuated by the time switch.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred specific embodiment of my invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that I reserve the right to make any changes or modifications in structure which will properly come within the scope` of' the appended claims.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or oftl position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quan-A tities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means,

v and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions independently of the said manually operable means.

2. The combination of valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fiuid in definitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may. cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means independent of said last named means for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of saidr valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, independently of the said manually operable means.

3. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to on or off positions or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said Valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, independently of the manually operable means.

`4. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to'on or offpositions or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a. person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one ystep from one position to another; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means, inV connection with the valve means, independent of said control means, for differently indicating to a personV remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; and automatic means. adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and at apt-ed to be. set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, independently of the manually operable means.

5. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the fiow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved ste -by-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; electro-magnetic means, including an electric circuit, for intermittently moving the valve means step-by-step successively to its several on and off positions; manually operable switch lneans in said circuit whereby a person at a point. remote from the valve means may cause the valve lneans to assume any one of its said positions; and automatic means` adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, and operatively connected with said electro-magnetic means and manually set to cause said valve means to assume any one of its said positions, independently of said manually operable switch means.

6. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid` said means being adapted to be intermittently moved stepby-stcp to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; electro-magnetic means, including an electric circuit, for intermittently moving the valve means step-by-step successively to its several on and ofi positions; manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause it to assume any one of its said positions; means, in connection with the valve means, independent of said electro-magnetic means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, and operatively connected with said electro-magnetic means and manually set to cause said valve means to assume any one of its said positions, independently of said manually operable switch means.

7. The combination of: valve means ada ted to control the flow of a fiuid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved stepby-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differenti ated quantities; an operating circuit; electro-magnetic means in said circuit to intermittently move said valve means step-by-step successively to any one of its several positions; normally open manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby l a person at a point remote from said valve means may selectively cause said valve means andere to assume any one of its several positions; a second circuit in parallel with said operatingl circuit; time controlled switch means in said second circuit adapted to be set to cause said electro-magnetic means to be actuated, to move said valve means to an one of its several positions, independently o the manually operable switch means.

8. The combination of: valve means adapted tocontrol the flow of a fiuid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions' to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; an operating circuit; electro-magnetic means in said circuit to intermittently move said valve means step-bystep successively to any one of its several positions; normally open manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from said valve means may selectively cause said valve means to assume any one of its several positions; a second circuit in parallel with said operating circuit; time controlled switch means in said second circuit adapted to be set to cause said electro-magnetic means to be actuated, to move said valve means to any one of its several positions, independently of the manually operable switch means; and means in connection with the valve means, independent of the electro-magnetic means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means.

9. The combination of valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid' in definitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, adapted to be manually set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of the said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

10. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the fiow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means independent of .said last named means for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve4 means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be manually set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected With or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic mea-ns to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

1l. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a Huid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to on or ofi positions or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass Huid in deinitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to an other, manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; automatic mea-ns, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, whereby said valve means may be caused to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected `from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

12. The combination of: valve means adapted yto control the iiow of a Huid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to on or off positions or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; control means by which a person at a point remotefrom the valve means may cause said valve meansl to' assume any one of said positions, saidmeans being adapted, lpon each operation thereoi', to advance he valve one step from one position to another, manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means, in connection with the valve' means, independent of said control means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

13.- The combination of: valve means adapted to control the 'low of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or ofi' position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; electro-magnetic means, includingan electric circuit, For intermittently moving the valve means step-by-step successively to its several on and oil' positions; manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a .point remote from the valve means may cause the valve means to assume any one of its said positions; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said electro-magnetic means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently oi said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

14. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the iiow of a fluid, said means beingl adapted to be intermittently moved step-by-step to an on or ofi' position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in denitely differentiated quantities; electro-magnetic means, including an electric circuit, for intermittently moving the valve means step-by-step successively to its several on and off positions; manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause it to assume any one of its said positions; means, in connection with the valve means, independent of said electromagnetic means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

15. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means bein adapted to be intermittently moved stepy-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; an operating circuit; electro-magnetic means in said circuit to intermittently move said valve means step-by-step successively to any one of its severalpositions normally open manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from said valve means may selectively cause said Valve means to assume any one of its several positions; a second circuit in parallel with said operating circuit; time controlled switch means in said second circuit adapted to be set to cause said electro-magnetic means to be actuated, to move said valve means to any one of its several positions; and means whereby said time controlled switch means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said electro-magnetic means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable switch means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable switch means.

16. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means beine adapted to be intermittently moved step-liy-step to an on or off position or to definite predetermined intermediate positions to pass fluid in definitely differentiated quantities; an operating circuit; electro-magnetic means in said circuit to intermittently move said valve means step-by-stcp successively to any one of its several positions; normally open manually operable switch means 'in said circuit wherebya person at a point remote from said valve means may selectively cause said valve means to assume any one of its several positions; a second circuit in parallel with said operating circuit time controlled switch means in said second circuit adapted to be set to cause said electro-magnetic means to be actuated, to move said valve means to any one of its several positions; means whereby said time controlled switch means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said electro-magnetic means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable switch means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable switch means; and means in connection with the valve means, independent of the electromagnetic means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every 'tion of said valve means.

17. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved to an on or ofl' position or to intermediate positions to pass fluid in different quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operat1on of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of the said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said Valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions independently of said manually operable means.

18. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow offl a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved to an on or off position or to intermediate positions to pass fluid in different quantities; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled b the movement of the said valve means, for ifferently indicating, to a person remote from said valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said Valve means independently of' said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

1S). The combination of valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved to an on or off position or to intermediate positions to pass fluid in different quantities; control means whereby a person at a point remote from the Valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another, manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; and automatic means,

adapted to be lsituated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of moving said positions independently of said manually operable means. v y

20. The combination ofz' valve mea-ns adapted to control the Howof a l'iluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently movedto an on or off position or to intermediate positions to pass fluid in different quantities; control means whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another, each step serving to move the valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of said valve means, for ditl'erentl indicating, to a person remote from sai valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and -means whereby said automatic means ma)T be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

21. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved to an on or off position or to intermediate positions to pass fluid in diierent quantities; electro-magnetic means, including an electric circuit, for intermittently the valve means successively to its severa on and ofi' positions;manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means ma cause the valve means to assume any one o its said positions; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from the valve means, every one of said positions of said valve means; and automatic means adaptedv to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said electro-magnetic means, and adapted to be set vto cause said valve means to assume any one of ysaid positions independently of said manually operable means.

22. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the :flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to be intermittently moved to an on or 0E position, or to intermediate positions t-o pass fluid in different quantities; electro-magnetic means, including an electric circuit, for intermittently moving the valve means successively to its several on and oil positions; manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause the valve means to assume any one of its said positions; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from the valve means, every one of said positions of'said valve means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be setto cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may beoperatively connected with or disconnected from said electro-inagnetic means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

23. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to said'heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large iiow of gas to said heater, or an oft position, entirely shutting oli the flow of gas to said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of vsaid positions independently of the said manually operable means.

245. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow lof gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low low of as to said heater,

or a high position, admitting a relativelyA large flow of gas to said heater, or an oli position, entirely shutting oli' the flow ot gas to said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manuali operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means independent of said last named means for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, independently of the said manually operable means'.

25. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means ior controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow ot gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large l'low of gas to said heater, or an off position, entirely shutting ofi' the iiow of gas to said heater; (ontrol means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means lnay cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another, each step serving to move the valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, ndependently of the manually operable means.

26. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of as to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large How of gas to said heater, or an off position, entirely shutting o the flow of gas to said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any oneof said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another, each step serving to move the valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means, in connection with the valve means, independent of said control means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set tocause said valv means to assume any one of said positions independently of the manually operable means.

27. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow, of gas to said heater, said means being ada ted to assume a low position, admitting a re atively low flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large How of gas to said heater, or an off osition, entirely shutting o' the iow o gas to said heater; an operating circuit;electro magnetic means in said circuit to intermittently move said valve means steD-by-step successively to any one of its several positions; normally open manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from said valve means may selectively cause said valve means to assume any one of its several positions; a second circuit in parallel with said operating circuit; time controlled switch means in said second circuit adapted to be set to cause said electromagnetic means to be actuated, to move said valve means to any one of its several positions, independently of the manually operable switch means.

28. In a heating system, the combination of a heater; valve means for controlling the iiow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a loW posit-ion, admitting a relatively low ilow 'of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large How of gas to said heater, or an oil' position, entirely shutting off the iioW of gas to said heater; an operating circuit; electromagnetic means in said circuit to intermittently move said valve means step-by-step successively to any one of its several positions; normally open manually operable switch means in said circuit whereby a person at a point remote from said valve means may selectively cause said valve means to assume any one of its several positions; a second circuit in parallel with said operating circuit; time controlled switch means in said second circuit adapted to be set to cause said electromagnetic means to be actuated, to move said valve means to anyone of its several positions, independently of the manually operable switch means; and means in connection with the valve means, independent of the electro-magnetic means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means.

29. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the How of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a lon7 position, admitting a relatively low fioW of gas to said heater, or a hivh position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to said heater, or an off position, entirely shutting o the flow of gas to said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; automatic means adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be manually set to cause said valve means to assume any one ofl said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of the said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

30. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means Jror controlling the flow ot ,iras to said heater, said means being adapted to assnm'e a low position, admitting a relatively lowtlow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow ol' gi s to said heater, or an oil' position,

entirely shutting otl1 the flow of gas to said heater; control means by which a personA at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means independent of said last named means for dili'erently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; automatlc means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be manually set to cause said valve means to assume any one ot'- said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

3l. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admittingr a relatively large flow oi gas to said heater, or an off position, entirely shutting off the flow of gas to Said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted,

upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from. one position to another, each step serving to move the valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, and

l adapted to be set to cause said valve means adapted to Jassume a low position, admitting a relatively low ilow of gas tosaid heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large ilow of as to said heater, or an off position, entlrely shutting off the flow of gas to said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said -positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another, each step serving to move the valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; means, in connection with the valve means, independent of said control means, for differently indicating to a person remote from the valve means every position of said valve means; automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be set to cause said valvey means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually o erable means.

33. In a eating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to said heater, or an ott position, entirely shutting otl' the flow of gas to said heater; control means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of the said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated ata point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions independently of said manually operable means.

34. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the How of gas tf said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to said heater, or an oi position, entirely shutting off the flow of gas to said heater cont-rol means by which a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of the said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; automatic means, adapted t0 be situated at a point remote from said valve means and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

35. In a. heating system. the combination of: a heater, valve means `for controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admit-ting a relatively low fiow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to said heater, or an off position, entirely shutting off the flow of gas to said heater; control-means whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means may cause said valve means to assume any one ot said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; and automatic means, adapted to be situated at a point remote from said valve means, operatively connected with said control means, and adapted to be set to cause said valve means to assume any one of said positions independently of said manually operable means.

36. In a heating system, the combination of: a heater; valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to said heater, or a .high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to said heater, or an oii' position, entirely shutting ofi' the ow of gas to said heater; control means whereby a person at a point remote from the valve means may canse said valve means to assume any one of said positions, said means being adapted, upon each operation thereof, to advance the valve one step from one position to another; manually operable means for controlling the operation of said control means; electro-responsive means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said valve means, every one of said positions of the valve means; automatic meansadapted to be situated at a )oint remote from said valve means, and adlapted to be set to cause |said valve means to assume any one of said positions; and means whereby said automatic means maybe operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means and when connected therewith to cause said automatic means to actuate said valve means independently of said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation by the manually operable means.

37. In a heating system, the combination of a plurality of heatesadaptcd to be situated at points remote from each other; separate valve means tor controlling the iiow of gas to each ot said heaters, each ot' said valve means being adapted to assume on o r off positions or any one of a plurality of intermediate positions to pass gas to said heaters in definitely dilerentiated quantities; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heaters may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one of its said positions independently of the others; manually operable means for selectively controlling the independent operation of said control means; and a common automatic means, in connection with said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move them to any one'otl their said positions independently ofthe others and independently of the manually operable means.

38. In a heating system, the combination of: a plurality of heaters adapted to be situated at points remote from each other; separate valve means vfor controlling the flow of gas to each of said heaters, each of said means being adapted to assume on or off positions or any one of a. plurality of intermediate positions to pass gas to the said heaters in definitely differentiated quantities; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heaters may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one of its several positions independently of the others; manually operable means for selectively controlling the independent operation of said control means; electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of each of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said heaters, each of said positions of each of the said valve means; and a common automatic means, in connection with the said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move them to any one of said positions independently of the others and independently of the manually operable means.

39. In a heating system, the combination of: a plurality of heaters adapted to be situated at points remote from each other; separate valve means for controlling the flow of gasto each of said heaters, each of said means being adapted to assume on or off positions or any one of a plurality of intermediate positions to pass gas to the, said heaters in deli` nitely-dillereutiated quantities control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heaters may selectively cause any one ol' said valve. means to assume any one of its several positions independently oi the others; manu-l ally operable means for selectively controlling the .independent operation of saidrontrol means: electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of each of' said valve means, for dilerently indicating, to a person remote Jfrom said heaters` each of said positions` of each of the said valve means: a common automatic means, in connection with said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move Vthem to any one ot their said positions; and

means whereby said automatic means may be selectively operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means, and when connected therewith to cause the said automatic means to actuate any ot said valve i.;ea.ns independently of each other and independently of said manually operable meansand also permit independent actuation of each ot said valve means, independently of each other, by the said manually operable means` 41-0. In a heating system, the combination of: a plurality of heaters adapted to be situated at points remote from each other; separate valve means for controlling the flow et' gas to each of said heaters, each of said means being adaptedto assume on or oli' positions or any one of a pluralityvof inter- Inediate positions to pass gas to said heaters in definitely dilerentiated quantities; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heaters may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one of its said positions independently of the others electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement ot each of said valve means, for differently indicating, toy a person remote from said heaters, each of the said positions of each of the said valve means; a common automatic means, in connection with the said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move them to anyone of their said positions; and means whereby saidautom'atic means may be selectively operatively connected with or dis` connected from said control means, and when connected therewith to cause the said automatic means to actuate any of said valve means independently ot each other and independently' of the said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation of each of said valve'means, independently of each other, by the said manually operable means.

41. In a heating system, the combination of: a plurality of heaters adapted to be situated at points remote from each other; sefparate'valve means for controlling the flowv o gas to each of said heaters, each of said means bein g adapted to assume on or olf positions or any one of a plurality of intermediate positions to pass gas to said heaters in definitely differentiated quantities; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said, heaters may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one ot its said positions independently of the others; manually operable means for selectively controlling the independent operation of said control means; electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of each of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said heaters, each of the said positions of each of the said valve means; a common automatic means, in connection with the said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move them to any one of their said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be selectively operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means, andV when connected therewith to cause the said automatic means to actuate any of said valve means independently of each other and independently of the said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation of each of said valve means, independently of each other, by the said manually operable means. i

42. In a heating system, the combination of: a plurality of heaters; separate valve means for controlling the flow of gas to each of said heaters, each ot' said valve means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to the heater, or a high position, admit-ting a relatively large flow of gas to the heater, or an off position, entirely shutting off the flow of gas to the heater; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heater may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one of its said positions independently of the others; manually operable means for selectively controlling the independent operation of said control means; and a common automatic means, in connection with said control means, for actuatingl each of said valve means to move them to any one of their said positions independently ot the others and independently of the manually' operable means.

43. In a heating system, the combination of: a plurality of heaters; separate valve means for controlling the flow of gas to each of said heaters, each of said valve means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to the heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large low of gas to the heater, or an off position, entirely shutting oil the flow of gas to the heater; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heater may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one of its several positions independently of the others; manually operable means for selectively controlling the independent operai ion of said control means; electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of each of said valve means, for differently indicating, to a person remote from said heater. each of said positions of each of the said valve means; and a common automatic means, in connection with the said control means. for actuating each of said valve means to move. them to any one of said positions indepemlently of the others and independently of the manually o erable means.

44. In a )eating system, the combination of: a plurality ot' heaters; separate valve means for controlling the fiow of gas to each of said heaters, cach of said valve means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to the heater. or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow ot' gas to the heater, or an oil position7 entirely shutting oil' the flow of gas tothe heater; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heater may selectively cause any one of said valve means to assume any one of its several positions independently of the others; manually operable means for selectively controlling the independent operation of said control means; electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and 'controlled by the movement of each of said valve means, for diferentlyindieating, to a person remote from said heater,

each of said positions of each of the said valve means; a common automatic means, in connection with said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move them to any one of their said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be selectively operatively` connected with or disconnected from said control means, and when connected therewith to cause the said automatic means to actuate any of said valve means independently of each other and independently of said manually operablemeans and also permit independent actuation of each of said valve means, independently of each other, by the said manually operable means.

45. In a heating system, the combination of: a. plurality ot' heaters; separate valve means for controlling the How of gas to each of said heaters, each of said valve means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to the heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to the heater, or an off position, entirely shutting oil the flow of gas to the heater; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heater may selectively cause any one ofsaid valve means to assume any one of its said positions independently of the others; electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of each of said valve means, for dierently indicating, to a. person remote from said heater, each of the said positions of each of the said valve means; a common automatic means, in connection with the said control means, for actuating each of said valve means4 to move them to any one of their said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be selectively operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means, and when connected therewith to cause the said automatic means to actuate any of said valve means independently of each other and independently of the said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation of each of said valve means, independently of each other, by the said manually operable means.

46. In a heating system, the combination of a plurality of heaters; separate valve means for controlling the flow of gas to each of said heaters, each of said valve means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively low flow of gas to the heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large fiow of gas to the heater, or an ofi position, entirely shutting off the flow of gas to the heater; control means whereby a person at a point remote from said heater may selectively cause any one of said Valve means to assume any one of its said positions independently of the others; manually operable means forselectively controlling the independent operation of said control means; electro-responsive signal means, in connection with and controlled by the movement of each of said valve means, for differently indieating, to a person remotev from said heater, each of the said positions of each of the said valve means; a common automatic means, in connection with the said control means, for actuating each of said valve means to move them to any one of their said positions; and means whereby said automatic means may be selectively operatively connected with or disconnected from said control means, and when connected therewith to cause the said automatic means to actuate any of said valve means independently of each other and independently of the said manually operable means and also permit independent actuation of each of said valve means, independently of each other, by the said manually operable means.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of October, 1921.

EL ROY L. PAYNE. 

